Penthrox
New Member
- Messages
- 3
- Location
- Adelaide, SA
Hello all!
I know these questions have probably been asked a million times but I am just trying to establish some ground rules to follow before I start up my new tank.
Just some background on my previous fish keeping. I have been keeping fish for around 18 years now. I wanted a challenge around 5 or so years ago; so I went over to Shrimp. Here is Australia (at least where I live) we have terrible mains water. My ph is 8.6 out of the tap and my TDS is around 500. Heavy chlorine and chloramines do not help the issue.
I purchased an RO Unit to keep my shrimp happy and grew an understanding of how soft water fish thrive in the correct conditions. This lead me to start keeping discus in my 5x2x2. I had a great time keeping them and even watching them breed but unfortunately I had to move house and there was just no room for a big tank. I have a rack system now that holds 3 x 40cmx40cmx40cm cubes and they will be used now to keep one pair of Apistos per tank.
So I have currently set one of the tanks set up with ADA Malaya and that is keeping the parameters in check, however as I research more and more I am believing that sand would be a better choice.
I also have around 30 or so IAL in the tank already for leaf matter and cover. I have a pretty much unlimited supply of Oak Leaves from a large tree at my Fathers house. Question being the ones that I have saved up from my shrimp food were picked up from the ground and then washed/cleaned and run through a dehydrator. They are a very pale green and not brown but I have had no issues feeding them to my shrimp. Do you think they would be ok in the tank for the apistos? I have attached a photo so you can see them.
I will be starting off with a pair of apistogramma macmasteri super red as they were the easiest for my LFS to acquire.
Any any all suggestions are always appreciated!
Thanks
I know these questions have probably been asked a million times but I am just trying to establish some ground rules to follow before I start up my new tank.
Just some background on my previous fish keeping. I have been keeping fish for around 18 years now. I wanted a challenge around 5 or so years ago; so I went over to Shrimp. Here is Australia (at least where I live) we have terrible mains water. My ph is 8.6 out of the tap and my TDS is around 500. Heavy chlorine and chloramines do not help the issue.
I purchased an RO Unit to keep my shrimp happy and grew an understanding of how soft water fish thrive in the correct conditions. This lead me to start keeping discus in my 5x2x2. I had a great time keeping them and even watching them breed but unfortunately I had to move house and there was just no room for a big tank. I have a rack system now that holds 3 x 40cmx40cmx40cm cubes and they will be used now to keep one pair of Apistos per tank.
So I have currently set one of the tanks set up with ADA Malaya and that is keeping the parameters in check, however as I research more and more I am believing that sand would be a better choice.
I also have around 30 or so IAL in the tank already for leaf matter and cover. I have a pretty much unlimited supply of Oak Leaves from a large tree at my Fathers house. Question being the ones that I have saved up from my shrimp food were picked up from the ground and then washed/cleaned and run through a dehydrator. They are a very pale green and not brown but I have had no issues feeding them to my shrimp. Do you think they would be ok in the tank for the apistos? I have attached a photo so you can see them.
I will be starting off with a pair of apistogramma macmasteri super red as they were the easiest for my LFS to acquire.
Any any all suggestions are always appreciated!
Thanks
